NFL: Former Panthers star Steve Smith signs with Ravens

Steve Smith is eager to continue his NFL career in Baltimore, where he's just a short flight from his permanent home in Charlotte.

The longtime Panthers standout wide receiver didn't waste time finding a new home, signing a three-year contract with the Ravens about 24 hours after being released by Carolina.

The Ravens announced the signing of the 34-year-old Smith on Friday.

Smith was released by the Panthers after 13 seasons. He should provide a solid weapon for quarterback Joe Flacco.

"This has been an organization with a history of giving veteran players a chance and meshing them with younger players," Smith said on a conference call Friday.

Smith said he had a contract offer from the San Diego Chargers and canceled a visit with the New England Patriots scheduled for Monday. Smith added the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks also expressed interest.

The Ravens and linebacker Daryl Smith agreed on a four-year deal that solidifies the middle of Baltimore's defense. Smith started all 16 games for the Ravens in 2013 and led the team with 123 tackles.

Dolphins: Eight-year veteran cornerback and rookie negotiator Cortland Finnegan found a new home in Miami after an injury-plagued 2013 with the Rams. Finnegan represented himself.

"It was a great experience," he said. "If I was like four years in the league, it would be cool to have an agent. The older you, you can understand where your market value is."

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Patriots: Suspended former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner announced on Twitter that he has signed with New England. The team has not confirmed the deal.

Browner was suspended by the NFL in December for violating the league's substance abuse policy. It was his second suspension in two seasons. He is eligible to attend training camp with the Patriots and play in exhibition games, but he will miss the first four games of the regular season.

Chiefs: Kansas City signed former Raiders defensive tackle Vance Walker to a three-year contract and announced the signing of linebacker Frank Zombo, who agreed to terms earlier in the week.

Walker started 15 games for the Raiders last season, making 29 tackles and three sacks.

Colts: The team has agreed to terms with free-agent wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the New York Giants.

Bears: Chicago agreed to a one-year contract with two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman, retaining one of its cornerstone players. Tillman, 33, is coming off a season limited to eight games because of a torn right triceps.

Lions: Detroit re-signed tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who will get a $16 million, four-year contract with half the money guaranteed.

Packers: Green Bay re-signed defensive tackle B.J. Raji to anchor its defensive line. He started all 16 games last season for the Packers.

Titans: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick says he's been released by the team. Tennessee also agreed to a multiyear deals with tackle Michael Oher, who spent his first five seasons with Baltimore, and linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who spent the last six years with Denver.

Kelly's cancer returns: Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly's cancer has returned. The Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo said in a statement that the cancer was found when the former Buffalo Bills star came in for follow-up testing after having oral surgery to remove cancerous cells last year.

Bills: Former Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes agreed to a one-year deal with Buffalo.

Bengals: Coach Marvin Lewis signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him on the job through the 2015 season.